Regardless of medical problems, certainly one of Grenada’s prime calypsonians and cultural figures, Valentine “Val” Adams, remains to be hitting the stage.
Adams was one of many foremost acts, primarily singing Christmas Carols, in the course of the 40th Anniversary Gala celebration final Month of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American Unbiased Nationwide Charities, Inc. (VINCI) at El Caribe Nation Membership on Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn.
“Though, like every thing else, there have been minor obstacles alongside the way in which, together with a stroke which I skilled in 2017, I’ve continued to supply our communities and international locations alike with lovely, gratifying music,” Adams, a three-time Grenada Independence and Calypso Monarch in New York, advised Caribbean Life over the weekend.
“I’m nonetheless going by way of remedy and medical remedy, particularly for fixed ache on my left hip,” added the four-time Calypso Monarch finalist in Grenada, and twice second runner-up, with hits like “Take a Bow”, “Rise Up” and “Bumsy”. “I nonetheless carry out as I see match, by God’s grace.”
Adams, who was additionally twice Soca Monarch finalist in Grenada and founding father of the Home of Hearth Calypso Tent in New York, mentioned he launched certainly one of Grenada’s conventional mases, “Shortknee”, to the West Indian-American Labor Day Carnival in Brooklyn.
He mentioned his mas band, “500 Sturdy”, has been named Band of the 12 months, within the small band class, for 3 consecutive years, 2013-2015, within the West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade on Brooklyn’s Japanese Parkway.
After Grenada’s Independence and Calypso Competitors in New York had paused, Adams mentioned he “dedicated to not compete and as a substitute spearheaded the restart of the occasion, which I continued for six years.”
He mentioned his musical journey continued with many recordings over time, “with superior performances” in London, Toronto, Montreal, “and, after all, in New York and the Caribbean.”
“I additionally loved performing with the Mighty Sparrow (the undisputed Calypso King of the World) many occasions in these cities, as effectively,” mentioned Adams, including that his largest accomplishment was when The Metropolis of New York honored him with a proclamation for his contribution to the tradition of town.
He additionally gained the Grenada Diaspora Cultural Award in New York.
“I’ve been given citations by elected officers in New York, once more for my contributions to town, and by the Authorities of Grenada in the course of the annual independence celebrations,” mentioned Adams, the son of a church organist mom and college principal fathe, from the city of Sauteurs, within the parish of St. Patrick, Grenada.
Adams mentioned he’s the final of 5 sons, with the one sister, Pat, following him.
He attended each the St. Patrick Anglican and Catholic colleges, and obtained a scholarship to attend McDonald’s School, the place he was chosen as a member of the Grenada Underneath 19 soccer workforce.
Adams mentioned he was then transferred to the Grenada Boys Secondary College (GBSS), and was chosen on the soccer workforce there as effectively, turning into captain of the workforce in 1969.
“As I at all times have a ardour for sports activities and music, I took the chance to strive athletics and gained the junior champion athlete of the college and in addition senior champ thereafter,” he mentioned. “I’ve gained Grenada’s first CARIFTA Video games medal in 1972, the silver medal, represented Grenada at Southern Video games in Trinidad (and Tobago), and on the Windward Islands Video games in St. Vincent (and the Grenadines), the place I gained one gold medal and one silver medal.”
Adams mentioned he additionally obtained an authorized soccer teaching license from the Southern New York State Teaching College at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers School after migrating to New York.
“With nice love for music, I seized the chance to pay attention and study,” he mentioned, stating that his father performed the violin, and his mom was an organist.
“There was a piano at dwelling, and the radio was at all times on, after all,” he added. “I used to be at all times on the piano, making some noise with two fingers. Often, I used to be in a position to get some observe on a guitar, which my brother, Albert, would have borrowed.
“I used to be extra fascinated by the guitar, gave it extra consideration, getting higher every day, and even learnt to play bass on an everyday guitar,” Adams continued.
Surprisingly, in the future, he mentioned he was referred to as to play bass guitar for a band, “which was about to be fashioned, Gary and the Rhythmeers, and acquired to sing my first tune on amplified tools, whereas enjoying bass guitar.”
Adams mentioned the band was “very effectively accepted from its launch, and I continued as its bass participant and lead vocalist.”
In 1974, the 12 months of Grenada’s independence, Adams mentioned he was chosen on the nationwide soccer workforce to tour New York.
He mentioned the primary thought on his thoughts was “to attempt to apply for varsity, which I did and acquired accepted.”
Adams mentioned he attended Hunter School and Nassau Group School later, learning accounting and music.
“However most fun of all as a younger man, with the arrival of music, was after I was invited to a gathering by Terence Romney regarding the formation of a band,” he mentioned.
There, he mentioned he met Eugene Pursoo, Grenada’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, “who instantly purchased the tools to start out the group, Exodus.”
Adams mentioned he ended up being chief of the band, keyboard participant and lead vocalist.
“The band had change into very talked-about, and I gained nice recognition.,” he mentioned.
However after about 15 years, as members constructed their futures and moved to their separate methods, Adams mentioned the group disbanded, and he went solo and began recording.
“Val Adams and Exodus was one of the best expertise for me,” he mentioned. “I turned a greater singer, musician, entertainer, arranger and songwriter.
“To my household, followers and pals, I need to thanks all on your continued help and encouragement,” Adams added. “Above all, I thank God for his mercy, and pray for His Blessings to everybody. I really like you all.”
